Religion Blog

VATICAN CITY — Here is a transcript of Pope Francis’ first remarks as translated by Reuters from
Italian.

“Brothers and sisters, good evening.

“You know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother
cardinals went almost to the end of the world to get him. But here we are.

“I thank you for this welcome by the diocesan community of Rome to its bishop. Thank you.

“First of all, I would like to say a prayer for our bishop emeritus, Benedict XVI. Let us pray
for him, let us all pray together for him so that the Lord may bless him and that the Madonna may
protect him.”

(The new pope then prayed the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be with the crowd.)

“And now, let us start this journey, bishop and people, bishop and people, this journey of the
Church of Rome, which leads all the churches in charity, a journey of fraternity, of love, of trust
among us.

“Let us always pray for us, one for the other, let us pray for the whole world, so that there
may be a great fraternity. I hope that this journey of the Church that we begin today and which my
cardinal vicar, who is here with me, will help me with, may be fruitful for the evangelization of
this beautiful city.

“Now, I would like to give you a blessing, but first I want to ask you for a favor. Before the
bishop blesses the people, I ask that you pray to the Lord so that he blesses me. This is the
prayer of the people who are asking for the blessing of their bishop.

“In silence, let us say this prayer of you for me.”

He then concluded:

“Now, I will give you and the whole world a blessing, to all men and women of good will.
Tomorrow, I want to go to pray to the Madonna so that she protects all of Rome. Good night and have
a good rest.”